11 November

The first global conflict ended this day

So we are drinking a...

Fallen Leaves

Today is Veterans Day in the US, Remembrance Day across the Commonwealth, and Armistice Day in France and Belgium – a solemn occasion when we remember the men and women who fell during World War I, as well as those who have served or lost their lives in wars since then.

It was on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 that World War I hostilities formally ended. Yet, insanely, some generals still threw soldiers into action even after the armistice had been signed - the last casualty of the war, Baltimore's Henry Gunther, died just one minute before the scheduled start of peace.

Held at 11am this morning, the minute's silence came into being as a way to commemorate the horrendous loss of life on both sides of a war the like of which, the world hoped, would never be seen again. It is now observed pretty much worldwide as a tribute to soldiers fallen in this and subsequent wars.

Today is a sombre anniversary, that's for sure, but an important one: we recommend you commemorate it with Charles Schumann's Calvados-based creation, the suitably solemn Fallen Leaves.

Given its origins during the First World War, when men of East Lancashire Regiment who had survived the Somme were billeted near the monastery where Benedictine was produced, the Benny & Hot is also a very appropriate drink for today.